CFB: 2021 College Football Playoff championship preview

The 2021 College Football Playoff national championship game kicks off Monday night as #1 Alabama (13-1) meets SEC rival #3 Georgia (13-1) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Despite losing seven consecutive games against the Crimson Tide, Georgia is 3-point favorites. According to ESPN, the Bulldogs have a 58% chance to take down Alabama. Since 2009, Nick Saban's team is 3-0 as an underdog including a win over Georgia in the SEC title game last month.

Alabama aims for an unprecedented 7th national championship since hiring Saban in 2007, while Georgia hasn't won a national crown since 1980. Kirby Smart, who coached under Saban for over a decade, is 0-4 against his former head coach. The Bulldogs led by double digits in three of four losses. The most devastating blow came in the 2017 national championship game as Alabama overcame a 20-7 deficit to pull off a thrilling 26-23 victory in overtime.

Georgia also led 10-0 in the first half before losing 41-24 in the recent matchup in early December. The Bulldogs defense has been historically dominant this season (allowing only 94 points and 3.8 yards per play in 13 games) but Bryce Young didn't have any trouble carving up that secondary. The Crimson Tide totaled 536 yards and 7.7 yards per play in the win over previously unbeaten Georgia as Young sealed the Heisman with 421 yards and three touchdowns.

The sophomore signal caller could become the third straight Heisman winner to lead his team to a national championship but will be without junior receiver John Metchie III. According to the Tuscaloosa News, Metchie remains out with an ACL injury and will be replaced with freshman Ja'Corey Brooks. Young will certainly lean on Brian Robinson Jr. and Jameson Williams to make big plays while All-SEC left tackle Evan Neal looks to protect the pocket.

Both teams have an abundance of talent (140 combined 4-star and 5-star prospects) that will decide who takes home the coveted trophy. Nakobe Dean, Jordan Davis and Derion Kendrick headline Smart's stout defense, while Brock Bowers and Jermaine Burton are pass catchers to keep an eye on. The Bulldogs also hope James Cook and Zamir White can make an impact on the ground. Alabama counters with elite defenders Will Anderson, Jordan Battle and Henry To'oto'o.

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett led a 34-11 rout over Michigan in the semifinal but has struggled against the Crimson Tide during his career. The former walk-on has five touchdowns and five interceptions in a pair of blowout losses. Before the season started in September, I picked Georgia to beat Alabama in the national championship but the Bulldogs must get pressure on Young and play mistake-free on Monday in order to pull off the monumental win.

Best Players Ranked:

1. Bryce Young (Alabama QB)

2. Evan Neal (Alabama LT)

3. Nakobe Dean (Georgia LB)

4. Will Anderson (Alabama LB)

5. Jordan Davis (Georgia DT)

6. Brock Bowers (Georgia TE)

7. Jameson Williams (Alabama WR)

8. Nolan Smith (Georgia DL)

9. Quay Walker (Georgia LB)

10. Jordan Battle (Alabama DB)

Photo Credit: Bleacher Report.